In Currimundi, with harness and 4 m kite on the sand learning how to control and manoeuvre
Following the advice of a kite surfer I found on the internet and the reason I am on the Sunshine Coast, I met up in Currimundi with Mike Walker of Kitethrills, to learn how to kite surf. I had only budgetted 5 hours of instruction so how far we were going to get with that was to be seen. Mike is a great guy and a fellow redhead and had seen Tim Minchin the night before, so we had lots to laugh about.
Yup - that's me - that little speck.
So in the morning he taught me the basics of my flying window, wind movement and geography. I started with a 3 m training kite and quickly moved up to a harness and 4 m kite learning to manoeuvre it, feel it, all while just standing in the sand. After about 2 1/2 hours, he was impressed with my grasp of handling it, so we took a break for luchn and then headed to Caloundra/Happy Valley for me to do body dragging. This time Mike switched me over to another instructor, Will, a very good looking young man. So now with a 9 m kite, and Will hanging on to me, Will had me hip deep in the ocean helping me learn how to manoeuvre this larger kite all of this in 15 – 20 knot winds and at least 50 other kiters zooming around me.
Happy Valley in Caloundra, where many kite surfers congregate - no pics of me here.
Once I was confident with this larger kite and it’s power, Will had me try body dragging and I am quite proud to say I picked it up quickly with only a few kite crashes.
Well at about 4 hours of instruction he brought out the board, and to make a long story short, I managed to get up on the baord a number of times. I finally called it quits at about 5 hours given that my brain was getting numb with all the information and my body getting sloppy due to fatigue. I completed my marathon session with a flying head first dive off my board and through the air into the ocean as my kite found my power zone.
Mike, Me and Will after my day learning to kite surf
All in all it was a blast. If I had more money to blow I would have gone back for more lessons. But both Mike and Will told me most people don’t get up on a board until about 8 – 10 hours of instruction . So needless to say, I am feeling quite proud of myself and a little stiff and sore. I highly recommend Australia for kite surfing – especially the Sunshine Coast – the wind blows constantly, the water is warm and the beaches are amazing and numerous.
A kite surfer setting off at the beach around the corner where I am couch surfing
Hi Sara
Congrats on mastering your first kite lesson!
We are envious and wish we were there with u as the beaches look
Amazing and the wind sounds perfect!
Love from c&m xoxo
yup you guys definitely have to put Australia on you kite surfing adventure list. Just amazing conditions wind and people.
You are so adventurous! 🙂
Another one I cancheck off my bucket list.
I bet Mark will be proud of you. That must have been a fun experience and with two handsome young men. You did say one was a redhead but neither of them look as though they have much hair!!!
Since they are such avid kite surfers maybe they keep it short to keep it out of their faces.
Looks awesome, do you think you will able to try again before you leave?
Ya it was pretty amazing. Not sure if I have it in the budget for more. We will see. Going south today to a different location. You and Carol have to do Ausralia. You would love it.